Situational Archetypes

What is a Situational Archetype?Usually, a story is built upon a formulaic

structure.Most stories have more than one situation. An experience that a hero or character

must endure to move from one place in life to the next.

A common event seen throughout stories in may different genres.

Situational Archetypes Situational Archetypes include the following:

The Quest

The Task

The Initiation

The Journey

The Fall

Death and Rebirth

Nature vs. Mechanistic World

Good vs. Evil

The Unhealable Wound

The Ritual

Situational Archetypes:The Quest

A quest describes a search for someone or something of great power or importance

A quest is never easily accomplished and often includes near impossible challenges

The Quest: Examples

Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the lost Ark

Situational Archetypes:The Task

The Hero must perform some nearly superhuman deed.

This is done to save the kingdom, win the girl, or find himself.

Example: Arthur pulls the sword from the stone.

The Task: Examples

Only the rightful heir to the throne can complete the task of pulling the sword from the stone.

Situational Archetypes: The Initiation

An initiation symbolizes a right of passage

An adolescent may come into adulthood through an initiation.

Very much connected with growing up and maturity

The Initiation: Examples

Masons created an initiation process that many secret societies still follow to date.

Situational Archetypes: The Journey

Sends the hero on a search for some truth or information

Forces the hero to discover many unpleasant truths

At his lowest point, the hero will return to the world of the living

The Journey: Examples

Situational Archetypes: The Fall

Shows a descent from a higher to lower state of being

Represents a loss of innocence

Usually comes with some type of expulsion as a result of disobedience

The Fall: Example

In the Christian faith, Adam and

Eve were the first two human

creations of God. By choosing to eat the forbidden fruit, the two lost their innocence and fell out of favor with

God.

Situational Archetypes: Death & Rebirth

The most common of all situational archetypes

Parallels the cycle of nature with the cycle of life

Morning or Spring = Birth or YouthEvening or Winter = Old Age or

Death

Death & Rebirth Examples

Spring Time is associated with new life and hope for the future

Death & Rebirth Examples Continued

•Winter These are symbols which represent old age, decay and death

•Cold

•Night

Situational Archetypes: Nature vs. Mechanistic World

Nature represents purity and good

Technology represents evil and corruption

Nature vs. Mechanistic World Example

Inventions destroy nature in this archetype

Situational Archetype: Good vs. Evil

Battle between two primal forces

Traditionally, Good will triumph over evil

Can be found in almost any movie, book, or television show

(protagonist vs. antagonist)

Good vs. Evil: Example

In Disney’s The Lion King, Simba represents good while Scar exemplifies evil. Most cartoons will depict a good vs. evil archetype.

Situational Archetypes: The Unhealable Wound

Either physical or psychological damage that cannot be repaired

Indicates a loss of innocence

Drive the sufferer to extremes

The Unhealable Wound Example

Anakin Skywalker (Darth Vader) will never fully recover from his battle wounds. He is forced into a mechanical suit because of his lost limbs and scarring.

Situational Archetypes: The Ritual

Mark a rite of passage

Show character’s role in society

Explain a person’s role in the world

The Ritual Example:

Baptism is an important ritual of the Christian faith. Once baptized, a person officially becomes a Christian.

Situational Archetypes

Let’s Review. Situational Archetypes are events or happenings that a character goes through in order to transcend from one place to the next. They include :

The Quest Death & Rebirth The Task Nature vs. Tech. The Initiation Good vs. Evil The Journey Unhealable Wound The Fall The Ritual